In 2013, Mexico was the third-largest supplier of foreign crude oil to the United States. It was also the largest export market for the United States’ refined petroleum products.

Oil

In 2013, Mexico was the third-largest supplier of foreign crude oil to the United States. It was also the largest export market for the United States’ refined petroleum products.

Photo: Robert Frerck, Getty Images

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Migration

A million American citizens live in Mexico.

Migration

A million American citizens live in Mexico.

Photo: Gustavo Muniz, Getty Images

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Remittances

Mexico is a major recipient of remittances, sent mostly from Mexicans in the United States, totaling over $22.4 billion in 2012.

Remittances

Mexico is a major recipient of remittances, sent mostly from Mexicans in the United States, totaling over $22.4 billion in 2012.

Photo: RONALDO SCHEMIDT, Getty Images

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The purchasing power of remittances

Most remittances are used for immediate consumption -- food, housing, health care, education -- but some collective remittances, sent from Mexican migrants in the U.S. to their community of origin, are used for shared projects and infrastructure improvements under Mexico’s “3 for 1” program that matches contributions with federal, state and local funds.

U.S. tourists to Mexico numbered over 20 million in 2013, making Mexico the top destination of U.S. travelers.

Travel

U.S. tourists to Mexico numbered over 20 million in 2013, making Mexico the top destination of U.S. travelers.

Photo: Justin Lewis, Getty Images

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Interaction

There are hundreds of thousands of legal border crossings every day.

Interaction

There are hundreds of thousands of legal border crossings every day.

Photo: Sandy Huffaker, Getty Images

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Potential

Mexico has more than $1.845 trillion in purchasing power parity, making it the 11th-largest in the world.

Potential

Mexico has more than $1.845 trillion in purchasing power parity, making it the 11th-largest in the world.

Photo: Robert Frerck, Getty Images

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Import/export

The United States is Mexico’s largest import partner, 49.9 percent compared with China’s 15.4 percent and Japan’s 4.8 percent. It is also its largest export partner at 78 percent.

Import/export

The United States is Mexico’s largest import partner, 49.9 percent compared with China’s 15.4 percent and Japan’s 4.8 percent. It is also its largest export partner at 78 percent.

Photo: David McNew, Getty Images

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Trade

In 2013 there was more than $550 billion in two-way trade in goods and services.

Trade

In 2013 there was more than $550 billion in two-way trade in goods and services.

Photo: Richard Cummins, Getty Images

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Investment

Stock foreign direct investment by U.S. companies in Mexico stands at $101 billion, while Mexican investment is $17.6 billion and has grown by over 35 percent the past five years. It is the seventh-fastest growing investor country in the United States.

Mexico is the United States’ second-largest export market (after Canada). Mexico is the U.S’ third-largest trading partner (after Canada and China). Nearly 80 percent of Mexico’s exports in 2013 went to the United States.

Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto will be meeting with President Barack Obama on Tuesday. While the private meeting most likely will focus on immigration and border security, the two countries' economic dependency on each other shouldn't be discounted in these meetings.

While much is made on immigration, the truth remains that Mexico is an important economic partner with the United States. Also this trip, Peña Nieto will take part in the United States-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, where those economic issues will be discussed.

It's an important moment for the Mexican president, especially as his administration and military have come under scrutiny after it was discovered some mayors and state police are connected with organized drug rings. This is also just his second visit to the United States as president.

Take a look through the gallery above to see just why Mexico continues to be so important to the United States from an economic vantage. (Sources: U.S Department of State and CIA Factbook)